Irving St Kitchen

Lauren and I headed out for brunch yesterday to a place in the Pearl called Irving St. Kitchen. I've been by it a thousand times, and its so beautiful inside. Wood paneled walls, a fireplace, huge chandeliers made out of milk glass bottles, a red chalk wall with fun quotes, booth areas with curtains that you can make into your own tiny food haven. We both ordered 2 eggs any way (mine over hard, her's poached) with potatoes, toast & I got bacon, she got spinach. It was delicious!! Then we ordered cinnamon sugar donuts for dessert. Yes, its necessary to have dessert at every meal. They were crispy on the outside, doughy on the inside, and a perfect end to our meal. yum.

Screen Door

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Ok, just had to get that out, that's how excited I am about this place. A group of us went out last night for Rachael's birthday. Adam and I arrived tired, and not very hungry. After browsing the menu, we saw the perfect thing! The Screen Door plate. It's your choice of any 3 sides, or plates off the "local/organics" menu (a smaller, rotating daily menu of exactly that..local/organic dishes) for $13.95. We got mashed potatoes, quinoa salad, and fried catfish. It came with a piece of corn bread too, which I liked more than Adam did. It's definitely a steal if you do it right. The friend Catfish was on the sides menu, and alone was $8.95. The potatoes were heavenly, and the catfish divine. I tasted a bit of everyone's food including mac and cheese, braised greens and fried okra. Everything was DELICIOUS. YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.

Muu Muu's

I first went here with Susie for a drink and snack after work. It's 2 blocks away from my store, and right in front of my bus stop, so it's really convenient. Although, I'd come here even if it wasn't. The happy hour is great, and the small plates menu is available anytime, and has enough awesome choices, that I tend to just eat off that! They are known for their Muu Muu Burger: sirloin burger, american cheese, and french fries all smashed into a french roll. Makes me want to eat meat. Honestly- 95% of the time I get the hummus plate. It reminds me SO much of the Abbaye, and as you all know- that's my favorite bar in Philly. They have a pretty decent rotating tap, and I've had some good beers here. The servers are all incredibly nice as well. Anyway, (ahem) Last Sunday 10 of us met up for brunch, and enjoyed a lovely meal. Mimosa's here: awesome and not $$$. I got an omelet, same ole same ole, and everything else on the table looked as good as mine tasted. Delicious! Our waitress even split our check 7 ways without even asking. perfect. one minor note..the coffee is not delicious.

Mother's

One of my co-workers always talks about this place, usually about how she always eats there, and how busy it ALWAYS is. Some friends, Adam and I took a chance on a late brunch and headed there. It's technically called a "bistro" and that's exactly what it looks like on the inside. Huge chandeliers, and fancy wall paper..We were seated promptly, and the drooling began. With 5 people, we all ordered something different, and we were all pleased. I got a frittata, (with sundried tomoatoes, spinach, feta and herbs) It was delicious, and so were the potatoes. My Mimosa was great, albeit $$$. All in all, great food and good service. There were about 5 other things I wanted to try, so I bet we'll be headed back..

Cup & Saucer

I went here with Ben when I first got to Portland, and didn't realize until a few weekends ago that they have a couple locations and one is right by my house! We were seated right away, and with 9 people, it was kind of impressive for a Sunday morning. Fresh apple-raspberry juice, yummmm. I got the breakfast sandwich (can you tell what I like to eat?) which came with potatoes, and was delicious. That was Derek's Huevos Rancheros. It's good, close, and pretty reasonably priced. There is also a huge Paul Bunyan across the street.

Besaw's

I ride by this place on the bus everyday on my way to work, and it a)looks so cute and b)is open early. We all know how much I love breakfast, so any place I can make dates for before work is a-ok in my book. I looked up their website today to see if it would be friendly for a lunch date today with another vegetarian friend of mine, emily.

This place was opened in the early 1900's, and was granted the first liquor license in Oregon! Financed by Henry Weinhard, a couple of gentlemen made this a local's favorite. I can see why!!

I ordered a breakfast sandwich (served until 3) which had 2 eggs over hard, veggie sausage, avocado, sun dried tomato pesto and goat cheese. It came with rosemary garlic roasted potatoes on the side. Em got the pecan veggie burger, which was AMAZING. Its adorable in there, and I wanted to eat EVERYTHING on the menu. Def coming back here!!

Siobhan- Gluten free pancakes!!!

Rose's

So I eat at Rose's all the time. It's directly across the street from my store, and the people who work there are so nice. I've tried so many different things there, and I am always satisfied. They have an excellent Caesar salad, yummy yummy tuna, delicious soups, and the best bagel chips. I've been wanting to check out the breakfast, but typically don't go down to that area on my days off. Anyways, my friend Adam came into my work today, and i was about to go to lunch, so we headed over there. I've never actually eaten there, I always get take out. I got the half soup and grilled cheese, he got cinnamon roll french toast. YUM. There was this amazing neon sign in the back I had never seen! This picture doesn't do it justice. The colors were so awesome. Anyways, I love Rose's, I love the people who work there, and I've yet to be disappointed with anything I've ordered!



Today i ate an everything bagel with veggie cream cheese, veggie soup and grilled cheese, some hummus and carrots, and cheese and crackers.

Cafe Nell

I had my first official breakfast date this morning, with the lovely Laurel. I was really excited, and tried to contain myself as we met up around 9am. We went down near my work, so I could walk over afterwards. I googled "breakfast places + NW 23rd" and got a pretty good list of joints. I settled on Cafe Nell because it was close, and seemed nice.

I got eggs in a hole, with brioche toast, and potatoes. Laurel got an omelet with butternut squash and corn. Both were delicious. I'm definitely getting the breakfast tacos next time. yummmmmmmmm.



the potatoes were really really good. the end.

Gravy

This last Sunday my good friend Curtis was in town. He was staying with some other friends, so the 3 of them, Kielly and I and my new friend Adam all went to Gravy for some brunch. First of all, the wait was kind of ridiculous. Luckily it's in Mississippi, so there are a TON of cute shops to walk around and see. (wood polar bear rocking "horse"!!) At least they are kind enough to have coffee out for those waiting. We got everything from Blueberry Pancakes, to Tofu Scramble. I got a spinach, feta, and tomato omelet with house potatoes. (I think i should have gotten the hash browns. They were LEGIT) The first thing you notice about the food here is HOW HUGE IT IS. The biggest portions ever. I ate 1/2 my omelet, and like 4 potatoes. I'm silly and forgot to take a picture of it. The omelet was a little runny, I dislike egg juice, so that put me off. It was a teeny pit pricey, but for the portion I suppose it's right. I had a $5 mimosa..? What it boils down to is it's not worth the wait. It wasn't TOTALLY AWESOME food, it was just regular, and it was too much food, and more than I wanted to pay. They did have awesome decor though. Good luck Gravy.